THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finally, the Kerala State AIDS Control Society (KSACS) has come to the rescue of the HIV patients admitted to the Ward 24 of Medical College Hospital. Expresso had highlighted the lack of facilities and the funds shortage to meet the demands of the patients admitted to this ward.
A high-level meeting convened by KSACS project director Usha Titus has decided to provide all help for the patients admitted here. Not just this, the KSACS will also support the needs of the doctors and nursing staff attached to this ward. As a contingency fund, the KSACS will provide Rs 1 lakh for the MCH for the benefit of the patients of this ward.
The major decision taken in the meeting is that KSACS would take the initiative to provide food for the patients of this ward. All the patients will be given lunch and dinner free of cost. At present, a couple of NGOs are providing food in the ward, which now will be taken care of by the KSACS.
Moreover, a GIPA co-ordinator will be employed full-time in the ward to monitor the activities. Apart from this, a patient admitted to the ward will be nominated as a volunteer to link the activities of the NGOs and KSACS.
Since the doctors and the nursing staff are working here without any adequate preventive techniques, it has been decided to give precaution kits to these doctors and nursing staff. Initially, 200 preventive kits, which comprise gloves and all the precautionary tools while treating an HIV patient, will be made available here.
The doctors and nursing staff will also be provided necessary guidance and awareness on the precautionary steps to be taken while dealing with the HIV patients.
Expresso had reported about the pathetic life of the patients admitted to the ward without proper food and lack of drugs. Apart from the anti-retroviral drugs provided by National AIDS Control Organisation, the hospital authorities are facing an uphill task of meeting the demands of the patients owing to fund shortage.
Now, with the sanctioning of Rs 1 lakh, the hospital authorities can meet the demand of costly drugs require for these patients. Since these patients belong to high risk groups, they are more prone to severe complications during hospitalisation. Be it surgical interventions or medication, these patients require very costly medicines for quick recovery.
Apart from the KSACS officials, the meeting was also attended by MCH Principal Ramdas Pisharadi and hospital superintendent Dr A. Nizarudden.
trivandrum@epmltd.com